Man overboard? Aussie tycoon insists Titanic II good idea

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Titanic might sail again

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A replica of the doomed ship will sail in 2016, says Blue Star Line Chairman Clive Palmer

Titanic II set to follow the ill-fated original's planned route from England to New York

Palmer vows Titanic II will be the safest cruise ship in the world when it sets sail

"You don't back a horse called Striding Snail, you don't name your boat Titanic II."

Sound advice from a 1996 Beautiful South tune, "Little Blue."

One man, however, seems hellbent on ignoring such plain folk wisdom in an audacious pursuit to rewrite history.

At a Tuesday press event in New York, Australian billionaire Clive Palmer, chairman of Blue Star Line shipping company, unveiled blueprints for his company's planned Titanic II. It's an exact replica of the haunted 1912 cruise liner that ... well, you've seen the movie.

Palmer claims Titanic II will be the safest cruise ship in the world when it sets sail in 2016 from Southampton, England, bound for New York, following the ill-fated Titanic's original planned route.

Titanic II 3 photos

Titanic II3 photos

Titanic II – Blue Star Line Chairman Clive Palmer is determined to see the Titanic II (here in a rendering) set sail in 2016.

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Titanic II3 photos

Titanic II – The replica of the doomed cruise liner will feature a grand staircase.

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The press event, held at New York's Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum, was part of an ongoing campaign to promote the Titanic II launch. Blue Star held a Titanic II Gala Dinner at the Venetian in Macau this month to drum up interest among wealthy Chinese.

The mining magnate won't say exactly how much money he's sunk into the project, but he doesn't appear worried about those who might be leery about boarding such a dubiously named vessel. Palmer says he's received offers of up to $1 million for passage on the ship's maiden voyage.

We assume that's not for steerage.

No word yet on deck chair arrangements.

What do you think of Blue Star Line using the name of the sunken Titanic? Would you sail aboard the Titanic II if given the chance? Please share your thoughts in the comments section below.